Leith United Church Cemetery located at 419000 Tom Thomson Lane, Leith, ON
HISTORY
In 1863 the Leith Cemetery was opened to the public for use as a burial ground. The land for the Cemetery was generously presented to the Leith Presbyterian Church congregation by Adam Ainslie in 1864. The price of a burial plot was initially fixed at $2.00. The first burial was that of Helen Marshall, a ten-year-old child of one of the village’s earliest known families. The burial ground is situated around the picturesque little country church. Evergreens and other ornamental trees are located throughout the cemetery. Large cedars border the back of the cemetery and an ornamental iron fence constructed by local craftsman Elmer Walter, assisted by Gelt Hofman, was erected along the front of the cemetery in 1975. A twelve-foot-high marble monument in the centre of the original part of the cemetery marks the resting place of the Rev. Alexander Hunter, who was the first minister of the Leith Presbyterian Church. The renowned artist Tom Thomson, an associate of the Group of Seven, is also interred in the cemetery. In 1964 Miss Ottie Rixon presented 150 square rods of ground south of the original cemetery so that space would be assured for future generations. The LACAC historical designation of the Leith United church and cemetery as recorded in the minutes of the Leith United Church Cemetery Board show that the Church and the old section of the cemetery were designated “Historic” in 1992; following the approval of the Annan Woodford Pastoral Charge, Trinity United Church, Annan and Grey Presbytery on April 3,1991. On August 3, 1992 an open house declaring the official designation of the Leith United Church and the old part of the burial grounds as a historic site was held. In 1993 a section of the cemetery at its southeast corner was designated for cremation (plots) lots. Only flat markers (flush with the ground) are used in this section.
The Leith United Church Cemetery Board reports annually to United Church of Canada through the Official Board of the Annan Woodford Pastoral Charge, Trinity Annan United Church
Leith United Church Cemetery Board is comprised of members of Trinity Annan United Church, and community volunteers who maintain the park like setting of the grounds. The cemetery operates May 1st-November 30th and is closed December 1st–April 30th annually. Revenue is used to care for the grounds and maintain it at a reasonable standard. Donations are accepted for the upkeep of the grounds and ongoing projects. (Donation cheques should be made payable to the Municipality of Meaford with “donation Leith Cemetery” written on the memo line). Donations may be put in the Leith Cemetery mail slot at Trinity United Church, Annan or mailed to the church at 303234 Sideroad 33, Annan N0H 1B0. A tax receipt will be issued for income tax purposes by the Municipality of Meaford. The Friends of Leith Church Group have an agreement with the Annan Woodford Pastoral Charge to use the church for their events and in return they maintain the church building and pay the associated expenses.
The clergy serving the pastoral charge is available to officiate or facilitate services, please feel free to contact Trinity Annan United Church for assistance with planning or leading a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, committal service, or other ritual. Further information can be found here
Leith Cemetery Contacts:
Burials and maintenance:
Jim Glaves
519-400-2246
Plot location and sales:
Ralph Harding
harrera307@gmail.com
519-372 -7062
For any further information contact:
Trinity Annan United Church :- 519-376-8257
office.trinityannan@gmail.com